Armato won’t rule out Senate bid

Assemblyman John Armato (D-Buena Vista) declined to rule out a bid for State Senate next year.

“I don’t like to rule anything out,” he said. “I enjoy what I’m doing very much. I think Assemblyman Mazzeo has pointed me in a direction that I can get things done for the constituents of Atlantic County and the state of New Jersey, and at this point in time, I’m not going to rule anything out.”

The second legislative district, which Armato and Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-Northfield) represent, is one of three districts in the state with split representation.

State Sen. Chris Brown (R-Ventnor City) holds the district’s Senate seat.

Mazzeo, who chairs the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, said he would likely not pursue Brown’s seat next year but declined to completely rule it out.

“I like the Assembly,” he told the New Jersey Globe last month. “so right now, my eyes aren’t really on the Senate.”